Run or Dye lives on at Dover International Speedway

Tuesday

Jul 8, 2014 at 11:57 AM

The world's most colorful 5K event will blast Dover with another rainbow of hues later this month, when the Run or Dye “Your City. Your Color. Your Vote. Give Love World Tour” returns to Dover International Speedway.

Andre Lamarandre.lamar@doverpost.com@302DoAndre

The world’s most colorful 5K event will blast Dover with another rainbow of hues later this month, when the Run or Dye “Your City. Your Color. Your Vote. Give Love World Tour” returns to Dover International Speedway.

In addition to providing a day full of color on July 19, Run or Dye will make a donation to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware.

For those of you newcomers who want in on the fun, here are three things you should know before signing up:

What is it?

Run or Dye combines equal parts exercise with partying on a race course.

For instance, a DJ will be present, spinning top 40 hits, and participants will have the option of running, walking or dancing through the course as they get doused in eco-friendly, plant-based powdered dye at five stations throughout the course. The dye instantly transforms participants into vibrant, walking canvases that make them easily identifiable well after the final stretch.

The Run or Dye experience is also for all ages and walks of life, from avid runners to recovering couch potatoes. Children ages 6 and younger will be admitted for free, which means the event is certainly a family affair.

“We love it when kids come out and, more importantly, kids love it,” Run or Dye spokeswoman Katie Langston said. “Kids love getting colorful and rolling in the dye and throwing it up in the air.”

After the last runner crosses the finish line, participants can celebrate at the Dye Festival, a nearly hour-long dance party that will feature more music and additional opportunities to get showered in dye.

Fashion police

Think of Run or Dye as a mini Halloween, because you can wear whatever creative outfit that pops into your head. Camden resident Melissa Cullen and her crew did just that at last year’s event, and they had a ball.

“We wore tutus and crazy costumes,” said Cullen, who has a message for future Run or Dye participants. “Don’t be shy. Wear some crazy stuff when you go there because everyone’s in costume and it makes the whole experience a lot more fun.”

While lots of runners prefer wearing white to show off all the dye colors, many people do come dressed in zany costumes, wearing things like old wedding dresses, pirate outfits and the aforementioned tutus.

Bear in mind that the dye is washable, but you should probably stay on the safe side and wear something you wouldn’t mind getting ruined.

“We wore cheap stuff that we ended up throwing out because I didn’t want to risk anything happening to it,” Cullen said. “When you leave there, you’re covered [in dye] from head to toe.”

Before driving home, Langston recommends that participants place trash bags on their car seats to prevent turning the inside of cars into a rainbow.

‘There’s no pressure,’ have fun

The reason Cullen joined Run or Dye is because it promised a 5K experience that sounded unique and exciting. And it was, she says.

Run or Dye isn’t timed, which keeps participants from worrying about besting their buddies. Though Cullen had participated in a 5K and an 8K prior to Run or Dye, she decided to walk the course because she was more concerned with having a good time than burning off calories. Furthermore, the cool features and laidback personality of Run or Dye are compelling reasons why so many people are attracted to the event, Langston said.

“For 60 percent of the participants, this is the first organized run they’ve ever done,” she said. “There’s no pressure and no kind of competition, it’s just a really awesome experience for everyone.”

IF YOU GOWHAT Run or Dye’s “Your Color. Your Vote. Give Love World Tour”WHEN Saturday, July 19. Registration will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m.WHERE Dover International Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont HighwayCOST $49 per person; $44 per team; $39 for military and $25 for kids ages 7 through 12; free for kids ages 6 and youngerINFO Visit runordye.com